Coal cutting machine



UHU ncrnnmm: Dumm-I HUUM J. W. O DELL GOAL' CUTTING MACHINE Aug'. 11, 1942. 2,292,502

Filed April 28, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 M L\ N l' n m l \M M lum 2 E .l0 E

SN\: 4 ks D \\|p| d pl -v EIL-M l ZF lq cf MA e Z2 INVENTOR f ATTORNEYS Aug. 11, 1942. J. w. oDELL.

COAL CUTTING MACHINE Filed April 28, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR W' ATTORNEYS Augll, 1942 J. w. ODELI. 2,292,502

COAL-CUTTING MACHINE Filed April 28, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR ATTO R N EYS Patented Aug. 11, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE COAL CUTTING MACHINE John W. ODell, Gallipolis, Ohio Application April 28, 1941, Serial No. 390,826

4 Claims.

This invention relates to coal cutting machines and has more particularly to do with a machine of this character for low cutting operations and in small veins but without limitation thereto.

The invention has for its prime object to produce a simple and compact structure which is of light weight and easily handled, yet strong and durable, and having a maximum cutting capacity.

An important object is to provide a simplied yet more practical and eicient arrangement of cutting bits for producing a clear-cut kerf or slotted swath in the vein formation without leaving any appreciable nippings.

A further and equally important object is to provide an improved chain structure for carrying the cutting bits which is of a dirt proof character, light in weight and possessing sufficient strength to resist the strains imposed thereon.

With the foregoing and other objects and advantages to be attained, as will hereinafter more fully appear, the invention consists in the general structure and in the particular parts and combinations and arrangements of parts thereof as hereinafter described and set forth in the appended claims, reference being had to the a-ccompanying drawings illustrating a practical adaptation of the invention, and in which:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of the machine;

Figure 2 is a side elevation thereof;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary top plan view of the cutter portion of the machine with the top plate thereof removed;

Figure 4 is a longitudinal section on the line 4 4 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a cross section on the line 5-5 of Figure 3;

Figure 6 is a View, partly in side elevation and partly in section, of a chuck link detached from the chain and showing a cutting bit in place thereon;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary View, on an enlarged scale, showing a portion of the chain in detail, with a modified form of chuck link;

Figure 8 is a bottom plan view of the parts of the chain illustrated in Figure 7;

Figure 9 is a fragmentary section on the line 9-9 of Figure 8; Figure 10 is a cross section on the line IIJ-I0 of Figure 7; Figure 11 is a cross section on the line I I-I I of Figure 7; and

Figures 12, 13, and 14, are end views of different chuck links illustrating the relative angularity of the bit sockets thereof,

Referring now to the drawings, the numeral I designates the body frame of the machine which is generally rectangular in form, having horizontal bottom flanges 2 on all four sides but vertical anges 3 only on its two longitudinal sides and at its rear end.

Supported and securely fastened on the horizontal front and rear end flanges 2 of the body frame is a longitudinally extending cutter beam 4 comprising a spaced pair of elongated horizontal plates 5 and 6, the lower plate 5 constituting the compression and the upper plate 6, the tension element of the beam. To complete the beam effect the two vertically spaced plates 5 and 6 are obviously connected at intervals throughout the area thereof by suitable strut elements, some of which latter comprise suitably shouldered stud-bolts on which gears and roller elements, hereinafter more fully described, are respectively mounted. So, too, an interposed adjusting plate for lengthening and shortening the beam is provided, said plate also constituting, in effect, a strut element between the upper and lower plates 5 and I5.

As shown, the adjusting plate, designated by the numeral 'I, is bolted xedly between a separate end extension plate 5' of the lower plate 5 and an extension 5 of the upper plate 6 as at 8. Said plate 1, which is oblong, is of a length to extend from the coinciding inner end portions of said extension plates 5' and 6 a considerable distance inwardly between the plates 5 and 6 where it is adjustably secured. For longitudinal adjustment of the plate 1 with respect to the plates 5 and S, said plate is provided with a pair of longitudinal slots 9 adjacent its opposite sides, as shown more clearly in Figure 3, through which slots and aligned apertures in the plates 5 and 6 bolts IU are inserted, the nuts I I on said bolts I 0 being readily loosened to effect longitudinal adjustment of the beam and as readily tightened to fasten the plate I in its adjusted relation to plates 5 and 6.

As shown, the adjusting plate 'I is considerably narrower than the respective plates 5, 6,5', and 6', and the portion of said plate I whicl is inserted between the plates 5 and 6 is slidably fitted between a pair of elongated longitudinal guidey bars I2 which are riveted as at I3 to the top face of the lower plate 5 and are preferably of a length to extend forwardly of the outer end of said plate 5 and overlap the adjacent inner end portion of the lower extension plate 5.

To materially resist torsional strains between the extension plate 'l and said upper plate E, the plate 6 is provided with a central longitudinal rectangular slot i4 in which a rectangular lug I5 on the upper face of the plate 1 is slidably fitted, said lug I5, of course, being considerably shorter in length than the slot I4 whereby to permit ample relative endwise movement between the plates 6 and 1. The positioning of the slot I4 and lug |5 rearwardly of the two bolts I0, hereinabove described, effectively resists lateral as well as torsional strains on said bolts when lateral thrusts are imposed on the extension plates 5' and 6' forwardly of the main beam plates 5 and 6. The guide-bars I2 augment the strain-resistant effect of the cooperating slot I4 and lug I5.

Located between the beam plates 5 and 6, in the immediate region of the forward horizontal flange 2 of the body frame I, is a driving sprocket gear I6 about which and an idler pulley |1 located between the forward end portions of the extension plates 5 and 6 an endless chain |8 is belted. The working diameters of the sprocket gear |6 and the idler pulley |1 are such that the flights of the chain |8 between said gear and idler pulley travel between the adjacent longitudinal marginal portions of the beam plates 5, 6, 5', and 6', whereby said marginal portions afford dirt proof coverage as well as guiding means for the chain flights, that is to say, the marginal portions of the beam plates effectively support the chain in a vertical direction. Lateral thrusts upon the chain tending to force it inwardly between the beam plates is effectively resisted by the longitudinal guide-bars I2 along the outer sides of which the chain nights ride, said inward thrusts being further resisted by idler rollers |9 which are journalled on spindlestuds 2|), which studs, obviously, may also serve as strut elements for the beam and, together with the rollers I9 thereof, may be provided in any desirable number longitudinally of the beam and adjacent the two flights of the chain respectively. It is for taking up the slack in the chain I8 that the means for effecting the longitudinal adjustment of the beam is provided. In this connection, in addition to the hereinabove described adjusting means, a pair of longitudinally adjustable thrust screws 2| are provided to abut the inner end portion of the adjusting plate 1, said screws 2| extending through correspondingly threaded apertures in supporting lugs 22 formed on the upper face of the bottom beam plate 5. By this provision the screws 2| may be adjusted on their supporting lugs 22 to facilitate the adjustment of the forward section of the beam and at the same time they serve as effective abutments to resist inward movement of the outer section on the inner section of the beam, thereby leaving the bolts I to function more particularly as a, vertical binding medium for the plates and 6 rather than being solely dependent upon for resisting endwise movement between the inner and outer sections. To afford convenient access to the heads of the thrust screws 2| for the application of a suitable wrench thereto, longitudinal slots 23 are provided in the top plate 6 of the beam.

Certain of the links comprising the chain I8 Said bits have shank portions 26 of generally square or other suitable polygonal cross section, the cutting end portions of said bits 25 being turned laterally outward at an angle to the shank portions 26, and the respective bits in the endless series in which they are arranged on the chain I8 having their angular cutting end portions respectively set in staggered diagonal relation to each other, that is to say, each following bit, up to a certain number thereof, being turned at a different angle and the varying arrangement of each group of bits so staggered or alternately disposed being repeated throughout the entire series of bits on the chain, by which arrangement a clean-cut kerf of a definite width is cut in the coal vein or other earth formation upon which the machine is used.

In a simple form of the chain I8, spaced pairs of link plates 21 are connected in series throughout the extent of the chain by link blocks 28, certain of which latter, designated by the numeral 28', are provided with the chuck portions 24 which carry the bits 25, and, as hereinbefore described, said chuck portions 24 being the only portions of the chain proper which extend beyond the marginsof the top and bottom plates of the beam 4. In this particular form of the chain structure the chuck portions 24 have counterpart socket openings 24 extending entirely therethrough so that the'ends of the shank portions 26 of the bits are projected some distance rearwardly of the chuck portions, by which provision the bits are readily removed from the chucks by tapping the projected end portions of the bits with a hammer.

Preferably, the several chain links and chuck members are made in a special form as shown more clearly in Figures 7 to 14, inclusive. In this modification of the chain structure links 29, each comprising a pair of spaced side plates similar in general form and proportions as the hereinbefore described link plates 21, are provided in an integral formation wherein said side plates 29 are rigidly connected by a cross plate 30 at their outer longitudinal margins, said cross plate 30 being considerably shorter than the over-all length of said plates 29. The respective unitary links, including said rigidly cross connected plates 29, are connected by link blocks 3| having body portions somewhat similar to the hereinbefore described link blocks 28, with this difference however, that the inner longitudinal edge portion of are contained entirely within the marginal portions of the beam 4, that is to say, said links are completely covered at top and -bottom by the adjacent marginal portions of the plates 5, 6, 5' and 6', while the major portion of other links carrying chucks 24 for cutting bits 25 are also covered by said beam plates at top and bottom but the chuck portions 24 are projected laterally beyond the margins of the beam plates.

the blocks 3| are preferably recessed arcuately, as at 32, corresponding to the circumferential contour of the body portion of the sprocket gear I6 and also the circumference of the idler pulley I1, the said block 3| having an integral outer plate or body portion 33 of a width corresponding substantially to the width of the plate portion 30 of the link members 29, said portions 33 of the link blocks 3| being of a length to substantially ll the spaces longitudinally between two adjoining plate portions 30 of the l'I 1k members 29 (see Figures '1 and 9) Certain of the link blocks 3|, in some cases, or all of said blocks, in other cases, are provided with chuck extensions on the outer face of the plate portions 33 thereof, as at 34, said chuck portions 34 having sockets 35 extending longitudinally from their forward portions a distance only suflicient to afford a stable attachment for the cutting bits 25, the body material remaining in the chuck portion behind the sockets 35, as at 36, providing substantial abutments for the inner ends of the shank portions of the bits to resist the end thrust imposed on the bits during the cutting operation. 'I'he sockets 35, of a predetermined number of chuck portions 34, following each other in the respective groups included in the entire link assembly, may be staggered angularly as shown in detail in Figures 10 to 14, inclusive, and in keeping with the hereinbefore described staggered relation of the cutting bits.

There is a particular advantage in the modified chain structure just hereinabove described, in that, throughout the extent of the flights of the chain between the driving sprocket I6 and the idler pulley l1 the plate members 3U of the link members 29 and the cooperating plate or body portions 33 of the link blocks 3| abut each other endwise so as to provide an effective guard for preventing the particles of cuttings and other loose material from entering into the chain linkage, thus making, with the coverage afforded by the adjacent marginal portions of the beam plates, a practical and efficient dirt-proof construction and arrangement.

Preferably, the hereinbefore described staggered arrangement of the angular cutting end portions of the several bits 25 is such that a kerf is cut in the coal vein or earth formation upon which the machine is used of a width substantially the same as, or in excess of, the over-all thickness of the beam 4. Obviously, therefore, some provision must be made for the cutting end portions of the bits to clear the plates and 6 in passing between said plates in the immediate region of the driving sprocket gear I6, this being accomplished, as shown more clearly in Figures 2 and 4, wherein the bottom plate 5 is depressed with curvature, as at 31, and the corresponding portion of the plate 6 thereabove is raised roundingly as at 38. So, too, the body frame I preferably has its longitudinal side members arched as at 39 (see Figure 2). Any suitable driving means may be provided for the driving sprocket gear I6. As shown, said gear I6 is keyed to a vertical spindle 40 extending upwardly through the plate 6 and having a bearing in a standard 4I, which latter supports a spherical gear casing 42. The spindle 40 has a bevel gear 43 meshing with a. pinion 44 on the end of a horizontal transmission shaft 45, said bevelled gear and pinion being housed within the casing 42. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the spherical casing 42 is further supported on opposite sides by upwardly and inwardly curved bracket members 46 which are attached to the forward portions of the longitudinal side members of the body frame I.

Any suitable motor may be provided, either of an internal combustion or electrical type, as may be desired. An electric motor is conventionally shown, as at 41, the same being mounted on the extreme rear portion of the top plate 6 of the beam unit 4. The armature shaft 48 of the motor is connected by conventional coupling 49 to a driving shaft 50 leading into a conventional variable speed transmission unit 5I, the details of which latter are not shown because of tie obvious character of such devices, it being deemed only necessary to here note that the transmission shaft 45 which carries the pinion 44 for driving the bevel gear 43 is obviously controlled in its operation by the transmission mechanism 5I.

In the operation of the machine, the cutter head or beam 4 is directed endwise into the coal vein or earth formation to be cut, the body frame l being either slid directly on the adjacent bottom or ground surface, or by interposing under said body frame suitable roller elements, or some obvious carriage, the machine being either pressed longitudinally forward directly by manual labor or by means of a suitable lever and ratchet .apparatus or device, these particular provisions', in themselves, forming no part of the present invention and are, therefore, merely here described incidently.

Obviously, the general structure and particular parts thereof may be modified other than herein specifically described withoutl departing from the invention as defined in the appended claims. The invention, therefore, is not limited to the speciflc construction and arrangement shown in the accompanying drawings.

What is claimed is:

l. A coal cutting machine or the like, comprising a portable supporting frame, a motor supported by the frame, a pair of horizontally disposed spaced plates carried by one end of the frame, rollers carried within the space between the plates adjacent the frame, an adjusting plate longitudinally adjustable within the space between the outer ends of the plates and extending a considerable distance beyond the same, plates rigidly secured to the upper and lower faces of the adjusting plate, a wheel rotatably mounted within the space between the outer ends of the last mentioned plates, a shaft intersecting the space between the inner ends of the rst mentioned plates, a sprocket carried by the shaft, a chain traveling over the sprockets between the plates and having cutting teeth extending beyond the plates, and means operated by the motor for rotating the shaft.

2. A coal cutting machine or the like, comprising a portable rectangular frame, a motor supported by the frame, a pair of horizontally disposed spaced plates carried by one end of the frame close to the lower end thereof, rollers between the plates adjacent the frame, an adjusting plate longitudinally adjustable between the outer ends of th-e plates and spacing the same, plates rigidly secured to the upper and lower faces of the adjusting plate and spacing the same, a wheel between the outer ends of the last mentioned plates, a vertical shaft passing through the inner ends of the rst mentioned plates above the frame, a sprocket wheel carried by the shaft, a chain passing around the sprocket wheel and wheel within the space between the plates, cutting teeth carried by the ch-ain and extending beyond the edges of the plate, and means carried by the motor for rotating the shaft.

3. A coal cutting machine or the like, comprising a rectangular frame, a pair of horizontally disposed spaced plates carried by one end of the frame close to the lower end thereof, a motor supported by the frame, a vertically disposed rotating shaft driven by the motor and passing through the upper plate and journaled in the lower plate, a sprocket wheel carried by the shaft between the plates, an adjusting plate longitudinally adjustable between the outer ends of the plates and spacing the same, plates rigidly secured to the upper and lower faces of the adjustable plate and spacing the same, a pulley between the outer ends of the last mentioned plates, and a chain passing around the sprocket wheel and the pulley within the space between the plates and having cutting edges extending beyond the edges of the plates.

4. A coal cutting machine or the like, comprising a rectangular frame, a pair of horizontally disposed spaced plates carried by one end of the frame close to the lower end thereof, a vertically rigidly secured to the upper and lower faces of the longitudinally adjustable plate and spacing the same, a pulley between the outer ends of the last mentioned plates, and a chain passing around the sprocket wheel and the pulley within the marginal lines of the plate and having cutting teeth extending beyond the marginal lines of the plates.

JOHN W. ODELL. 

